Hear our Heart Ear Bus is only a beat away!

Hear our Heart is a truly inspirational example of how people power combined with a real community need can make a difference. www.hearourheart.org

The Hear our Heart Ear Bus Project, started as a direct result of identifying a great need in a small, but spread-out community.  Being somewhat remote, access to Ear, Nose and Throat specialists is often as remote a possibility as the location.  In 2011, two passionate Dubbo women joined forces with the Dubbo & District Support Group for the Deaf and Hearing Impaired to raise awareness and support for families whose children suffer from Otitis Media.  This ear infection has four strains, the most common is also known as glue ear.  Otitis Media effects 1 in 3 children, but if left un/misdiagnosed can have long lasting effects on health, behaviour, and overall social and learning development.  What is Otitis Media? (NB:  the traits can also appear similar to ASD) 

Thus came about this fundraising initiative to see the implementation of a purpose-built Ear Bus to treat children of the Central West NSW. The bus will do three rounds of visits to each school in the region from Dubbo to Bourke including Brewarrina and Warren. The first will check the children's ear health. The second will see those that require theirs ears to be checked by a GP do so. The third will see an Ear Nose and throat specialist treat the children that require it - regardless of their nationality.

Needing $95,000 for a Toyota Bus, fundraising has already reached a staggering $65,000!  Dubbo were first to set up a committee dedicated to help fundraise as a community for the Ear Bus.  Warren have followed suit (already impressively contributing $6,000 from their recent trivia night), and now Gilgandra have come on board.  The Committee has voted to offer it to surrounding towns in the Dubbo District that can be as committed as Dubbo and Warren.

Dubbo City Toyota Dealer Principal David Hayes announced that he "will be providing the Toyota Coaster Bus at bare invoiced cost, as well as servicing the Bus for free for a 3 year period."  Not only that, he also committed to donate a further $10,000 to help get the bus on the road as early as possible.

With such fantastic supports from local businesses and community programs, the fundraising has even extended to two Dubbo locals offering sponsorship from their climb in Nepal! 

HOW to be included in the program? 
Towns in the Dubbo District that would like to be part of our Project can contact Hear Our Heart for information about joining.  However, before joining, each town needs a local coordinator and committee, motivated in raising awareness and funds. 

For more information, or to find out how you can also support this amazing initiative, email  hearourheart@gmail.com.  Sign up to receive their newsletter, read regular blog updates and access their facebook page - find out how on www.hearourheart.org. 
NB:  This will be an ongoing fundraiser to ensure the continuation once this service is up and running.